SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- An old, sun-weathered peddler approached, coconut in one hand and machete in the other.

"Cinco dólares?" he asked, grinning from ear to ear. We were instantly sold on the thought of drinking fresh coconut. The man did a skip and a dance as we watched him expertly lop the top off.

"I can't believe we are still in the U.S.," remarked my young son as he gulped down the sweet juice.

His observations were on point about this Spanish-speaking territory of the U.S. Located in the Caribbean, the island claimed by Spain in 1493 still exudes its strong Spanish roots.

Colorful Calle De San Sebastian

(Cheryl Collett)

The breezy winds whipped back and forth like the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean before us.

The water is Caribbean blue, not the gray murk of the Gulf Coast that we're used to in Texas.

While the kids built structures on the pristine sands of Condado Beach, I sipped a piña colada, Puerto Rico's national drink. Behind us, salsa music blared from our beachfront hotel, San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino.

The morning's breakfast buffet featured familiar items, including pancakes and muffins, and an array of Puerto Rican pastries and exotic, tropical jams.

Guavate at the San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino

(San Juan Marriott Resort and Ste)

On Saturday evenings, the festive "Guavate in San Juan" night is a tasty cultural experience. Paying homage to the lechoneras -- or pork restaurants -- in Guavate, guests can indulge in the whole roasted pig experience without leaving the hotel.

Guavate is a region that boasts a milelong stretch of pork eateries on Route 184 known as "Pork Highway."

Step outside the Marriott and you'll find yourself on the pulsing Ashford Avenue. It is reminiscent of Miami's South Beach, so do a little shopping, peruse some galleries or stop at a cafe to try Puerto Rican staples, such as mofongo, a sweet and savory dish made of smashed plantains, and sample a Don Q rum drink.

For those wanting an intimate snapshot of Puerto Rico's food and culture, the Spoon Food Tour is a gem. The three-hour Old San Juan Walk and Taste Tour gives visitors the unique insights from a local resident as you stroll through the historic core of Puerto Rico's capital city. The tour weaves Puerto Rico's history and folklore that spans 500 years with frequent food stops.

Our tour guide, Caroline Johnson, showcased local favorites by taking us to mom-and-pop shops for a quesito (cheese-filled pastry twist) or a handcrafted paleta (popsicle).

Handmade popsicles from Senor Paleta

(Cheryl Collett)

Our first stop, Don Ruiz Cafe, gave us a morning perk from a Puerto Rican single-origin coffee. The coffee grown in the elevated region of Yauco comes from a plantation owned by the Ruiz family for 110 years. Don Ruiz Cafe doubles as a roastery and is inside the historic Ballaja Barracks, built from 1854 to 1864 by Spanish militia to house troops and their families.

As we made our way past one of Old San Juan's gems, the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, and meandered toward the colorful festival street of Calle de San Sebastián, Johnson stopped to highlight the historical and architectural significance of well-preserved buildings and monuments.

At a stop outside Hotel Convento, we learned about Puerto Rico's fondness for stray cats who help with the rat infestation and played a little by the cat sculptures in the Cathedral Square. We gorged on organic grass-fed beef and sweet plantains and washed it all down with a homemade tamarind cinnamon soda at Melt Artisanal Diner, which sources heavily from local farms.

Melt Artisan Diner grassfed beef and sweet plantain melt

(Cheryl Collett)

Though the tour does not permit for us to go inside attractions like the forts or cathedrals, it helped us decide which places to explore later.